Solar heating apparatus and method

Abstract

A solar heating apparatus is disclosed along with a method of making a solar heating apparatus. The apparatus has a frame with a solar collector movably mounted thereto. A solar tracking mechanism moves the solar collector on the frame during daylight hours responsive to differential heating of a plurality of fluid filled containers located on the solar collector. The tracking mechanism includes a rotating mechanism attached between the frame and the solar collector and having a pair of arcuate cylinders therein along with a pair of fixed pistons. The arcuate cylinders are connected to a pair of fluid filled containers or pipes located on the solar collector and partially shaded in different positions to provide a differential fluid pressure between the containers and between the cylinders of the rotating mechanism. The differential fluid pressure rotates one part of the rotating mechanism attached to the solar collector.

I claim: 
     
       1. A solar heating apparatus comprising in combination: a frame;   a solar collector for collecting and concentrating solar energy, said solar collector being movably mounted to said frame;   solar tracking means for moving said solar collector on said frame during daylight hours responsive to differential heating of a plurality of fluid filled containers located on said solar collector, said solar tracking means having:   a solar collector rotating means attached between said frame and said solar collector and being attached to said solar tracking means plurality of fluid filled containers for rotating said solar collector on said frame; and   a pair of arcuate cylinders and a pair of pistons located in said solar collector rotating means with each said fluid filled container operatively connected to each said cylinder to apply fluid pressure in each said arcuate cylinder and against each said piston, each piston dividing one arcuate cylinder into two pressure cylinder areas, so that each said piston has a portion of one of said arcuate cylinder's on each side thereof to rotate said solar collector on said frame responsive to a fluid pressure differential.   
     
     
       2. A solar heating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said solar tracking means fluid filled containers are elongated pipes partially shaded by shadow bars. 
     
     
       3. A solar heating apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which said rotating means has two coacting casing members, one having said pair of arcuate cylinders therein and the other having a pair of pistons fixed thereto, whereby the pistons divide the cylinders into four chambers and rotates the other casing member upon movement of said pistons. 
     
     
       4. A solar heating apparatus in accordance with claim 3 having connector means for connecting said casing members together. 
     
     
       5. A solar heating apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which said connecting means includes springs and ball detents. 
     
     
       6. A solar heating apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which said solar collector has a collector pipe placed therein encased an evacuated transparent tube.